'Wicked lie' rapist jailed for attack on teenager

The 19-year-old victim, who had been drinking at a city centre club until 6am, got out of a taxi and stormed off following a row with her sister last April. But minutes later she was forced down a set of stone steps in Sunbridge Road and repeatedly raped by Usman Akram.

Akram, who was on bail for a dangerous driving offence at the time, raped the teenager and got her to perform a sex act upon him, Bradford Crown Court heard yesterday.

As she tried to shout for help, the 21-year-old, who was wearing leather gloves, stifled her screams by putting his hand over her mouth.

After the initial attack the terrified teenager tried to get up the steps, but Akram grabbed her by the ankles and dragged her back. He then raped her again before fleeing the scene, but his image was captured on city centre CCTV equipment.

The victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was helped by passing motorists and she was eventually taken to hospital, where she was treated for cuts and scratches.

Akram claimed during his trial last September that the teenager had offered him sex for 10.

He was found guilty of three charges of rape by the jury and Judge Peter Benson yesterday branded his claims about the victim a " wicked lie".

Prosecutor Gerald Hendron said in the wake of the attack the victim's confidence had been reduced and she had turned down the offer of a place at university.

Judge Benson told Akram, of Woodale Avenue, Heaton, Bradford, he posed a significant danger to women.

He told Akram he was jailing him for public protection and said he would have to serve a minimum term of four years and 79 days before he was considered for release by the Parole Board.

Even then, Akram would only be let out if the Parole Board considered his risk to the public had been significantly reduced.

He will also have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

His barrister Stephen Spence said his client's continued denials may be a cultural reaction because of the impact such crimes have on the rest of the family.

He said the CCTV footage clearly showed Akram was drunk and he submitted his client had not used any "wanton and gratuitous violence".

Judge Benson told Akram his victim was clearly vulnerable due to her situation and the effects of drink.

"It's clear to me too that you decided to take advantage of her vulnerability," said the judge.

"You overpowered her. You forced yourself on her and had sexual intercourse with her. She started to scream but you covered her mouth with your hand."

The judge said Akram had shown his victim no mercy by dragging her back down the steps by her ankles.

"When you had finished you made off, leaving that poor girl to seek help alone, terrified and distressed on the streets of Bradford," he said.

The judge said the "wicked assault" had resulted in a significant impact on the teenager's life and he praised her for her bravery and courage in giving evidence during the trial.

"It was suggested to her with as much diplomacy as possible that she had in effect offered you sex in exchange for 10.

"That was a wicked lie designed to cover up your rape and you get no credit at all for any remorse or plea of guilty," Judge Benson added.

At the time of the attack Akram was on bail for a driving offence. He was sentenced to a concurrent four months in jail and banned from driving for 21 months after admitting dangerous driving.

In September 2008 he was pursued by a police car as he drove a Nissan Micra at high speeds around the Canal Road and Manningham areas of Bradford.

Speaking after the hearing, DCI Jonathan Hoyle said the manner in which the young woman had conducted herself throughout the investigation had been "exemplary, and has ensured that a dangerous man has been removed from the streets of Bradford and is no longer a danger to the public."